Special Feature! Christmas In August Prepping for The holidays! Gift Ideas !

Santa Claus Worldwide Documents History of Famous Gifter and Others Like Him from Around the Globe

Asheville, NC, July 28, 2021 — Santa Claus, as we know him, didn’t originate from Clement C. Moore’s popular poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” as is often thought, or from Washington Irving’s History of New York, as suggested by Berkeley historian Charles W. Jones. Our American Santa Claus was, in fact, created by a New York printer in 1821 in a booklet called The Children’s Friend, explains author Tom Jerman.

His fascinating new book, Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Holiday Gift-Bringers, is a comprehensive history and homage to the world’s midwinter gift-givers, showcasing their extreme diversity as well as the many traits these characters share. It tracks the evolution of these figures across thousands of years, eventually landing on how an untitled poem by a wealthy New Yorker in 1822 gradually created an enduring tradition in which American children awaken on Christmas morning to see what Santa brought.

The product of years of exhaustive historical research, Santa Claus Worldwide is the first legitimate history of Santa Claus in more than a decade, and the first history in more than 100 years to provide a comprehensive look at the Yuletide gift-givers throughout the world.

Readers will discover:

• How midwinter gift-givers developed over thousands of years;
• The difference between Catholic followers of St. Nicholas and Protestant followers of the secular “terror men” in Europe following the Reformation;
• Historical examples of midwinter gift-givers who were female, Black, rich, gay, atheist and communist;
• When and how a New York printer named William Gilley created the “American Santa Claus” in an 1821 booklet, The Children’s Friend;
• How a wealthy New York professor, Clement C. Moore, bought a copy of The Children’s Friend and, in 1822, wrote “The Night Before Christmas;” and
• How The Children’s Friend disappeared from history until it was rediscovered in 1953.

Ultimately, Santa Claus Worldwide proves, conclusively, the existence of Santa and his impact on our world.

“Santa indisputably exists as the symbol of Christmas, and Christmas represents our most noble virtues,” Jerman says. “Symbols are real, and they can be very powerful.”

About the Author
Tom A. Jerman, a resident of Asheville, N.C., has bachelor’s degrees in philosophy and journalism and a juris doctorate degree from the University of Utah. Employed as a copy editor with The Salt Lake Tribune between 1974-78, he went on to practice labor and employment law for 35 years. In 2015, he took early retirement to pursue his desire to write something more interesting and enduring than legal treatises.

A serious collector, Jerman has amassed some 4,500 Santa figurines and ornaments, and thousands of antique postcards printed between 1900 and 1910. The enormous diversity of figures — temporal, geographic, historical, size, attire, date of gift-giving, mode of travel — prompted him to write Santa Claus Worldwide, the first volume of a planned trilogy.

For more information, please visit acollectionofsantas.com, or follow the author on Twitter at @tomajerman.

Santa Claus Worldwide: A History of St. Nicholas and Other Midwinter Gift-Bringers
Publisher: McFarland & Co.
ISBN-10: ‎1476680930
ISBN-13: ‎978-1476680934
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and other online retailers

Handmade in Britain announces partnerships with Handmade Oxford Online – The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair

Handmade Oxford Online
The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair
Wednesday 15 – Sunday 19 September 2021

After making the difficult decision to cancel the in-person aspect of Handmade Oxford earlier this year, Handmade in Britain goes forward with Handmade Oxford Online, the third edition of the Interactive Virtual Craft Fair series. With the previous editions of Handmade in Britain’s Virtual Craft Fairs having received fantastic feedback from both visitors and exhibitors alike, and with statistics of both Virtual Craft Fairs showing over 30,000 unique visitors from 80 countries around the world, Handmade in Britain is delighted to further explore and develop their virtual model with this third edition. Furthermore, as businesses and the public still face certain challenges and anxieties around in-person events, Handmade in Britain hopes the Virtual Craft Fair will provide independent designer-makers with the means to continue connecting safely and effectively with their customers.

From 15 – 19 September, Handmade Oxford Online will feature some of the UK’s most talented contemporary craft makers. Visitors will be able to browse and shop through an extensive catalogue of handmade products from a wide range of disciplines, including fashion and jewellery, glass and ceramics, prints and textiles, and sculpture and wood. In addition to this, visitors can expect to indulge in a full programme of interactive and informative activities such as live questions & answer sessions with the exhibitors, fascinating live sessions, craft demonstration videos, and interactive craft workshops.

“We loved being part of Handmade in Britain’s first interactive craft fair. As the name suggests, it was truly ‘interactive’ giving us the opportunity to chat with customers and share new ideas. The live sessions were especially good; enabling a creative window into our studio where we could share our making process and showcase our new collection, as well as answering questions. Can’t wait to be part of the next one!”
– Tamara Williams from RubyKite, Exhibitor
Experience the second edition of our Interactive Virtual Craft Fair here.

Highlights for this third edition of the Interactive Virtual Craft Fair are undoubtedly the live sessions that will be held throughout the fair dates. In partnership with the illustrious Ashmolean Museum and Judith Blacklock Flower School, visitors will have the pleasure to attend two thought provoking sessions. Clare Pollard will discuss the thriving culture of art in Tokyo, the subject of Ashmolean’s current major exhibition, while Judith Blacklock herself will present a webinar on the beautiful art of floral arrangements.
The full programme of live sessions will be revealed in August.
Those wishing to attend Handmade Oxford Online – The Interactive Virtual Craft Fair will be able to register their attendance in August. Visitors can attend the Virtual Craft Fair and participate in the activities available through their laptop, smart phone, or tablet. As Handmade in Britain strives to spread the ethos of handmade craft to as wide of an audience as possible, attendance will remain free and open to all, wherever you may be in the world.
“The event was able to hold onto the one on one personal experience of visiting a craft fair by opening up conversations and studio tours with the artists and allowing visitors a look behind the scenes at the processes and talents involved.”
– Dani Crompton, Exhibitor

Find out more about our virtual craft fair at handmadeinbritain.co.uk/oxford

It’s never too early to prep for the festive season! I thought I would share a round-up of the latest smartwatches from Amazfit, as they might be of interest for any Christmas gift guides you are working on.

Amazfit has a diverse portfolio of smartwatches offering highly sophisticated health and fitness tracking technology. The watches range from £39.99 up to £159, so there is an Amazfit for every budget this Christmas.

Available in a range of colours and designs, there’s a smartwatch to suit Mums, Dads, kids, partners, friends, and the rest of the family!

Amazfit T-Rex Pro – RRP: £139.00
Available from: Argos
The T-Rex Pro is a rugged smartwatch that is built to withstand most kinds of extreme conditions and challenges, making it the perfect partner for an active lifestyle.

Amazfit GTS 2e – RRP: £119.00
Available from: Argos
The Amazfit GTS 2e is an all-in-one modern smartwatch with a fashionable square design, health and fitness features.

Amazfit Neo – RRP £39.00
Available from: Argos
The Amazfit Neo is a retro-design sports tracker watch that measures heart rate, monitors sleep, is water resistant up to 50 metres, and features 28-day battery life.

Amazfit GTR 2e – RRP: £119.00
Available from: February 2021
The Amazfit GTR 2e is an all-in-one elegant smartwatch with a classic round design, health and fitness features, and ultra-long battery life.

Amazfit GTS 2 – RRP: £159.00
Available from: Argos
Product breakdown: Where style meets health, the GTS 2 is an all-in-one modern smartwatch with a fashionable square design, health and fitness features, built-in Alexa, and 7-day battery life.

Amazfit GTS 2 Mini – RRP: £79.00
Available from: Argos
The GTS 2 Mini brings fashionable fitness to all with ultra-slim and light design, always-on AMOLED display, blood-oxygen saturation measurement, 70+ sports modes, and Amazon Alexa built-in.

unearthed® brings missed holidays to Christmas celebrations
Travel favourites to recreate at home

With so many of us unable to travel abroad this year, unearthed® offers a delicious range of authentic foods that will make Christmas feel like a true holiday.

Inspired by his own culinary travels and unable to find the real deal at home, Simon Day created unearthed® in 2008 to bring the best discoveries to the UK and the brand has been transporting people through food ever since. Beginning with just three olive lines, the range has extended hugely and now includes Bavarian Frankfurters, Spanish Omelettes and Portuguese Pastel de Nata.

When it comes to Christmas, unearthed® has something to make every gathering special. For a Christmas Day starter, the Pork Rillettes are delicious spread on toasted sourdough and for vegans, food blogger @TabbiEats suggests a tasty Olive Tapenade* recipe that is incredibly easy to make. French Torchon ham – so called because it is wrapped in cloth whilst it cooks to give it a succulent, delicious flavour – is ideal for Boxing Day cold platters.

unearthed® is there to help you to impress last minute guests with its cured meat, antipasti and olive selections. The selection platters include the French Selection Pack containing air dried ham and cured and herbed French salami and the Calabrian Antipasto platter containing Calabrian Pepperoncino Salami: a cured pork salami with red hot peppers & black pepper; Calabrian Salami: a cured pork salami seasoned with fennel seeds; and Capocollo: cured pork neck fillet. Liven up a cheeseboard with Mixed Olives with Rosemary and Black Pepper and colourful antipasti such as unearthed® Stuffed Cherry Peppers, Chargrilled Artichokes and Slow Roasted Peppers.

For those tired days and in between meals, unearthed® Spanish Omelettes are quick to cook and easy to satisfy. Served simply with a salad, the omelettes make a delicious and nutritious meal in minutes, options include Red pepper and Paprika, Spanish Potato, and Spanish Spinach Omelette.

unearthed® even makes using leftover food exciting and @TabbiEats has created a fantastic tartlet recipe for using up leftover goats cheese using unearthed’s sweet Slow Dried Tomatoes.

*Olive Tapenade from @TabbiEats
Ingredients

1 packet of unearthed® Olives
1 onion
4 cloves of garlic
1 twig of fresh rosemary
1 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
4 rolls or 1 baguette
2-3 tsp of crushed pistachios

Method

Pre-heat oven to 200
Roughly chop the onion and garlic, place on a baking tray and add the garlic infused oil, rosemary and some seasoning, mix well and place in the oven for 15-20 minutes
While the onions and garlic are roasting, cut the rolls in half (if using) or cut the baguettes into slices and place on a baking tray. Brush the olive oil on the bread and place in the oven for 10-15 minutes until crispy.
Once the onion mixture is ready, remove from the baking tray and place in a food processor, alongside the olives, rosemary and any remaining oil from the baking tray. Blend until smooth.
Once the bread is crispy, remove from the oven, spread on the tapenade, sprinkle on the pistachio and enjoy!

Slow Roasted Tomato and goat’s cheese tartlets from @TabbiEats

Serves: 16-18 medium sized tartlets

Ingredients:

1 packet of Unearthed slow roasted tomatoes
300g (2 packets) goats cheese
2 rolled out puff pastry sheets (300g)
1tsp garlic infused olive oil
3 cloves of garlic
2 tsp Provence herbs
4 tbsp milk
Knob of butter (for greasing)

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 200ºC.

1/ Take the sheets of pastry out of the fridge to allow them to get to room temperature

2/ Using the 12-hold muffin tin, generously grease the holes with the knob of butter and set aside until ready to use them

3/ Cut the Unearthed roasted tomatoes in half and add to a mixing bowl along with roughly chopped goats cheese, garlic oil, crushed garlic (all three cloves), all of the herbs and some seasoning. Mix well and set aside the filling.

4/ Roll out the pastry, keeping it on its baking parchment. Using a glass tumbler or cookie cutter that has a diameter slightly larger than the muffin compartment, cut the pastry. Transfer the pastry to the muffin tray and gently press down, add 2-3 tsp of the filling. For the lid of the tartlet use a cookie cutter that you like the shape of to cut the pastry and place on top of the tartlet. Tabbi used a star shaped cutter.

5/ Once all the tartlets have been constructed, brush on the milk. Then place the tartlets in the oven for 15-20 minutes. Allow to cool before enjoying the best canapés!

To accompany its exciting range of products, unearthed® offers plenty of culinary inspiration with recipes for every occasion. visit: www.foodsunearthed.co.uk/recipes/ for more details.

unearthed® donates 1p from the sale of every pack to Action Against Hunger and has raised more than £844,000 to date.

INTRODUCING THE NEW LIMITED EDITION LIGHT & SHADOW ARTISAN STAND MIXER

– Whether it’s brunch, an afternoon snack, or an evening dinner party,
inspiration can strike at any moment –

Shining a spotlight on textured, premium design, KitchenAid introduces their most artful appliance yet, the Limited Edition Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in Light & Shadow.

Colour has been at the heart of the KitchenAid success story since 1955. The latest introduction is an ode to the maker whose passion to make every experience extraordinary is not tied to traditional boundaries but is, instead, driven by inspiring moments throughout each and every day whether it’s recreating a favourite restaurant dish for lunch or an impromptu midnight snack.

The exceptional styling of this ultra-chic model contrasts the smooth sun-soaked sand tone of the stand mixer with the compelling dark, studded, shadow-casting three-dimensional studs of the tactile, ceramic bowl. Every detail of the Limited Edition Stand Mixer sets this ultra-luxe model apart from others; from the deep metallic finish of the trim band to the sleek, subtle, two-toned shiny finish of the hub cover.

The contrast of light and dark, along with the texture and unique features of the Limited Edition Stand Mixer brings makers of all skill levels a stunning addition to their kitchen worktop.

As an appliance leader and colour authority, KitchenAid pushes the boundaries of what a stand mixer can do through its ability to evoke emotion and elevate lifestyles. Assembled in sturdy die-cast metal, the stable Artisan Stand Mixer fuses legendary design with outstanding engineering and durability making it, quite simply, the ultimate culinary companion.

The Limited Edition Light & Shadow Stand Mixer is made to stand out as a centrepiece of the kitchen, blurring the line between appliance and art.

The Limited Edition Light & Shadow Artisan Tilt-Head 4.8L Stand Mixer comes with standard stainless steel accessories including a flat beater, dough hook and wire whisk. For even more versatility there are over 15 optional, dishwasher-safe, extras for the famous attachment-ready Culinary Hub enabling everything from slicing, grating, mincing, chopping and peeling, to juicing and spiralizing, along with a Sifter & Scale.

Making every day extraordinary, the NEW Limited Edition Light & Shadow Artisan Stand Mixer (RRP £699) is available from 1 September 2021 on kitchenaid.co.uk.

www.kitchenaid.co.uk | @kitchenaid_uk | #MakeItTogether

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
ARTISAN Tilt-Head Stand Mixer 4.8L 5KSM180CBLD

Wattage: 300
Motor Type: AC (Alternating current) with Direct Drive
Max. output motor power (Horsepower): 0.19 HP
Voltage: 220 – 240 V
Frequency: 50 / 60 Hz
Revolutions per minute (Speed 1 to 10): 58 to 220 RPM
Bowl capacity: 4.7L
Material body: Die-cast zinc
Speed control type: Hybrid electronic
Product dimensions: 36 (H) × 24 (W) × 37 (D) cm
Net weight: 10.98 kg
Cord length: 104.1-109.2cm

Alzheimer’s Society launches its Christmas range to help beat dementia

Alzheimer’s Society’s online shop is stocked full of wonderful gifts to send loved ones this Christmas. From unique jewellery and family friendly stocking fillers to gorgeous homeware and eco-friendly gifts, your purchase can make a difference to people living with dementia this year. We also have a range of products ideal for any loved ones who are living with dementia, keeping them safe and independent. 100% of profits donated to supporting people with dementia when they need it most.

People can see our full Christmas range by visiting shop.alzheimers.org.uk

Eco-friendly cards
All our packs of 10 cards come in bio-degradable packaging and are printed in the UK on FSC board.
Christmas Tree, £4.99

Message inside: Wishing you a wonderful Christmas
Pack of 10 cards with envelopes
Gold Foil. 140x140mm

Christmas Sheep, £3.99
Message inside: Happy Christmas
Pack of 10 cards with envelopes
140x140mm

Robins print, £3.99
Message inside: Wishing you a wonderful Christmas
Pack of 10 cards with envelopes
140x140mm.

Dove, £3.99
Message inside: Wishing you Peace at Christmas
Pack of 10 cards with envelopes
140x140mm.

Fox and Moon, £3.99
Message inside: Season’s Greetings
Pack of 10 cards with envelopes
140x140mm.

Eco Seed Cards, £3.99
These unique cards are made from flower seeds and 100% recycled paper and are designed in Greenwich, London.
The real magic of these cards is that once gifted the whole card can be planted in a garden or a pot.
With just a bit of water and light the card will grow into beautiful flowers. These cards have a surprise second life!

All of Christmas Cards will be available at shop.alzheimers.org.uk/gifts/Cards-and-Stationery

Welsh Collection Ceramics
Let’s be honest, everything tastes better from fine bone china. Welsh Connection are a small ceramic and homeware design company based in South Wales.
Welsh Collection are supporting Alzheimer’s Society and have worked closely together to create the Forget-Me-Not range, available exclusively at Welsh Connection and on Alzheimer’s Society’s website.

Forget-me-not two handled mug, £13.50
Our Forget-Me-Not fine bone china, two-handled mug provides more stability for the drinker, without compromising on quality and design, perfect for those who need a helping hand, without compromising on style.

Forget-me-not single handled mug, £12
Our Forget-Me-Not fine bone china mug is delicately decorated with beautiful forget-me-not flowers.

Forget-me-not farmhouse jug, £20
Our Forget-Me-Not fine bone china 1 pint jug is delicately decorated with beautiful forget-me-not flowers. It is equally perfect for pouring milk as it is for holding flowers.

Forget-Me-Not Jewellery
Our beautiful collection of sterling silver- and gold-plated jewellery is made with real forget-me-not flowers. The forget-me-nots have been expertly cultivated, briefly dried and then set in resin to be cherished for years to come.

Forget-me-not Gold Plated Teardrop Pendant, £44.99
Gold plated sterling silver necklace handmade with real forget me not flowers.

Forget-me-not Gold Plated Heart Earrings, £39.99
Gold plated sterling silver heart earrings handmade with real forget-me-not flowers.

Forget-me-not Silver Round Cufflinks, £39.99
Sterling silver jewellery made with real forget-me-not flowers.

Forget-me-not Silver Bar Necklace, £29.99
Part of our beautiful collection of sterling silver jewellery made with real forget-me-not flowers.

Forget-me-not Silver Oval Bangle, £49.99
Part of our beautiful collection of sterling silver jewellery made with real forget-me-not flowers.

Games
Supporting a person with dementia to do things they enjoy and take part in activities is important. It can support independence, enjoyment, communication and quality of life.

Snakes & Ladders and Ludo, £19.99
This Snakes & Ladders / Ludo game allows for up to 4 players and is a fantastic way to bring the family together.
The strong colour contrasts and clear design of the board is more appropriate for people with visual and cognitive impairments. Enlarged counters are also easier to move.
Animal Bingo, £25
Nothing beats bingo for a healthy burst of fun competition, and we’ve brought extra joy by adding a zoological twist. Perfect for groups of up to 8 players, simply listen to the recognisable animal noises and match up with the animals on your card before shouting that winning word ‘Bingo’

Animal Snap, £10
Animal Snap is a set of 48 cards that can be grouped into different families. These can be used in a series of association games designed around cognitive stimulation therapy for people with dementia.
Each card is designed with high colour contrast and uses simple illustrations to ensure people with dementia use the cards unassisted.

You can find more games at shop.alzheimers.org.uk/helpful-products/games-and-activities

Elf Day
Start the festive celebrations early and let the Christmas spirit take over on 3 December by unleashing your inner elf and raising vital funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

Alzheimer’s Society Elf Hat, £1.99
Complete your elf day outfit with this fun elf hat

Adult Elf t-shirt, £7.99
Child’s Elf t-shirt, £6.99
Show your support this Elf Day and right through Christmas with our Elf t-shirt, which is100% cotton

Elf hat headband, £3.99
This festive headband is perfect for office dos and family parties

The Black Dementia Company
The Black Dementia Company was founded by Feyi Raimi-Abraham when she realised that there was a gap in terms of products specifically for people living with dementia from African and Caribbean backgrounds. Feyi is carer for her mother who is living with dementia and is originally from Trinidad and Tobago.
These products are intended to be used as vital cultural aids to interact and engage with loved ones.
16 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle – Government Rd, Nairobi, 1957, £16
Original vintage photographs featuring people and places from Africa and the Caribbean have been converted into puzzles by the Black Dementia Company. This series of puzzles such as this one of the Government Rd, Nairobi, have been designed to entertain and stimulate conversation
16 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle – Friends in Lagos c.1961, £16
Each puzzle in this series features black and white images or images with limited colour. Research has found that black and white jigsaws reduce unnecessary stimuli increasing the ability to focus and enjoy the image and the puzzle.
16 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle – Caribbean, 1963, £16
Original vintage photographs featuring people and places from Africa and the Caribbean have been converted into puzzles by the Black Dementia Company. This series of puzzles such as this one of the Caribbean, have been designed to entertain and stimulate conversation.
16 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle – Trinidad, 1960’s, £16
Each puzzle in this series features black and white images or images with limited colour. Research has found that black and white jigsaws reduce unnecessary stimuli increasing the ability to focus and enjoy the image and the puzzle.

Comment from The Complaining Cow

Undelivered parcels – 10 parcels go missing every minute – what are your rights?

Research published today shows that parcels in the UK are going missing at the shocking rate of 10 every minute, due to loss and theft.

The research, undertaken by Citizen’s Advice, found that 38% of all UK adults have received a ‘Sorry you were out’ card when they were at home, often leading to parcels left in insecure places such as doorsteps and bins. One in ten people have had a parcel lost or stolen.

Pressures on drivers is a significant factor in the delivery problems.

According to Citizens Advice:
“
• In a single week, almost 7 million people (13% of all UK adults) experienced a parcel issue related to driver pressure. Such as the driver leaving before the customer could get to the door, or leaving the parcel in an insecure place like a doorstep or bin

• In a single week, almost 3 million people (6% of all UK adults) missed a parcel because they didn’t have time to get to the door. This figure rises to 8% for people who are disabled or have a long term health condition and 9% of parents with young children”

Citizens Advice is calling for fines on companies for losing parcels and better protection for courier drivers.

Helen Dewdney – The Complaining Cow, a Consumer Champion – is not surprised by the findings. Consumers tell her on a regular basis about problems with deliveries. It often boils down to retailers using the cheapest couriers, which results in companies cutting corners.

Dewdney adds that it is important that consumers know how to deal with courier problems and provides three top tips:
1) Your contract is always with the trader to whom you gave the money. So the trader should deal with any delivery issues, not the courier.
2) The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) Act states that goods must be delivered within the time frame agreed with the seller. If one hasn’t been agreed (you have agreed a time frame if the listing supplies a time frame) the trader must deliver ‘without undue delay’ and at the very latest not more than 30 days from the day after the contract is made. After this time you are entitled to a full refund.
3) By providing details for a “safe place” to leave a parcel you are agreeing to it being safe. If there is a chance that it could be stolen, don’t use it as a safe place! It has become your property as the retailer has left the item where you specified. Items should be delivered with reasonable skill and care under the CRA, if the courier has not left the parcel in your safe place and has left it to get broken or stolen you are entitled to a full refund, including any delivery cost.
Dewdney adds “We have seen such an increase in online shopping during the pandemic and there are no signs of this dropping despite shops reopening. Instead of offering free delivery, retailers should look at adding a small cost, as people will pay for convenience.”

Snuggy – snuggy.shop

If you want to celebrate Christmas and the festive season like an influencer, Snuggy is a must-have. From Love Islanders to TOWIE stars, anyone who’s anyone in reality TV has a Snuggy and there’s good reason, too. The oversized hoody is made from a soft flannel fleece exterior and sherpa fleece interior making it a staple for cosy comfort when snuggling up in front of the fire.
The best-selling Snuggy is available in five different colours at www.snuggy.shop, and has options for adults (£59.99), children (£34.99) and even your canine companions (£22.99).

Merrythought – merrythought.co.uk

Merrythought is the UK’s oldest remaining teddy bear manufacturer. With every single product handmade in its historic British factory, they’ve made teddy bears for everyone from The Royal Family to One Direction.

The cuddly collectables have been treasured for generations after the firm celebrated its 90th birthday last year and are sure to be treasured for generations to come, too.
Merrythought is in the final stages of preparing its Christmas bear and if you’re interested I can get you details as soon as it’s ready but in the meantime, take a look at its full collection here: www.merrythought.co.uk/ or the 2020 Christmas bear below.

Kath & Kin – kathandkin.com

From personalised storage caddies to labelled glass jars and dog bowls, Kath & Kin is the go-to homeware firm for the likes of Mrs Hinch, Stacey Solomon, Rochelle Humes and Jacqueline Jossa.

Kath & Kin’s beautifully made and perfectly thought out products are ideal for various storage hacks in all rooms. Have a browse on the website and you’re bound to find the perfect present for the organiser in your life!

44 Foods – 44foods.com

From luxury food bundles to delicious recipes to top tips for a more sustainabile Christmas, for all your Christmas food needs, 44 Foods is here to help.

Launched in January 2021, the firm is a collective of farmers and food producers who are passionate about ethically produced, fairly priced, sustainable food. Together, they supply fruit and veg, meat and dairy and larder essentials direct from their farms to your door – offering customers a fairer way to shop, and promising to pay producers and farmers a fair price.

SIMS Garden Machinery, a multi-franchise dealer of a huge range of gardening and DIY tools. They have products for Dads and DIY enthusiasts that would make for great gifts for the Christmas period. Here are some ideas!

BELLA LUCK CHARMS – Italian Lucky Charm Jewellery

Based in Melbourne we offer unique Italian lucky charms that are famous in Italy. The little horns and hands of Italy represent luck and good fortune! All our jewellery is wrapped in our signature wrapping paper.

bellaluckcharms.com

Roarsome Christmas tree decorations from the Natural History Museum Shop

The Natural History Museum Shop is the perfect place to buy all your Christmas tree essentials for a
truly roar-some Christmas. With a brand-new topper to sit at the top of your Christmas tree, to a range
of dinosaur and animal themed decorations, the Museum is a one stop shop for a truly wild Christmas
tree, decorated to suit the whole family. Sustainability is at the heart of this year’s collection which is
glitter-free across the board.

Below are a range of our favourite top picks…

For more information visit: www.nhmshop.co.uk

20cm Pterodactyl Tree Topper: £30
Dinosaur Christmas tree decorations left to right £9, £10, £9
Marine Christmas tree decorations £10 each
Bird Christmas decorations left to right £9, £10, £9
Christmas decorations left to right £10, £6, £10

The Natural History Museum is both a world-leading science research centre and the most visited
natural history museum in Europe. With a vision of a future in which both people and the planet thrive,
it is uniquely positioned to be a powerful champion for balancing humanity’s needs with those of the
natural world.
It is custodian of one of the world’s most important scientific collections comprising over 80 million
specimens. The scale of this collection enables researchers from all over the world to document how
species have and continue to respond to environmental changes- which is vital in helping predict what
might happen in the future and informing future policies and plans to help the planet.

The Museum’s 300 scientists continue to represent one of the largest groups in the world studying
and enabling research into every aspect of the natural world. Their science is contributing critical data
to help the global fight to save the future of the planet from the major threats of climate change and
biodiversity loss through to finding solutions such as the sustainable extraction of natural resources.
The Museum uses its enormous global reach and influence to meet its mission to create advocates for
the planet – to inform, inspire and empower everyone to make a difference for nature. We welcome
over five million visitors each year, our digital output reaches hundreds of thousands of people in over
200 countries each month and our touring exhibitions have been seen by around 30 million people in
the last 10 years.

TCL’s latest tablet, the TCL 10 TABMAX which is now available in the UK.

The TCL 10 TABMAX is a tablet that offers a best-in-class viewing experience via its 10.36-inch FHD+ display and NXTVISION technology producing truer to life images and richer details.

The tablet also pays attention when it comes to eye-care, with the implementation of intelligent eye protection reducing harmful blue light.

Only £269.99 at Very UK.

Bracha Goetz
brachagoetzbooks@gmail.com

I WANT TO BE FAMOUS! is a delightful picture book by a bestselling author that is teaching children how to shine from the inside out! Here’s the link to get it on Amazon: www.amazon.com/gp/product/0997536349/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i38

Madison & Mayfair are an exciting brand which offers luxury interiors and gifts at high street prices.

Madison & Mayfair introduces our luxury gift hampers featuring a range of homeware and gifting options.

Collections include Contemporary Deco, Exquisite Luxe and Midnight Blush for some gift inspiration.

mandm.championsdev.com/collections/contemporary-deco.html

Hampers make the ideal gift for Christmas time. What better way than to unbox one of our ribboned wicker baskets bringing anticipation to the festive proceedings. The Madison & Mayfair wicker hampers include two straight-sided mugs, featuring playful watercolour designs of flower petals against brooding skies. Finished with a fine, gold-tone handle, these lovely pieces with beautify your collection of kitchenware.

The Neroli reed diffuser summons the citrus aroma of the Mediterranean with undernotes of refreshing clean cotton. Hosts, entertainers, mixologists and amateur shakers alike will be charmed by the dimpled cocktail shaker Long Island Hamper set, complete with elongated spoon and golden strainer. Serve an elegant margarita in our glittering gold glasses which can be unboxed to evoke all the exoticism of a 1920’s cocktail party where flapper girls once sipped on elegant golden margarita glasses as the bartender mixed up one more beverage in the cocktail shaker.

This Tea at Hyde Park features the Morning Dew cotton reed diffuser, exuding the calming, cool scent of replenishing cotton. Finely finished with regal gold touches and blue and grey pattern that recall the interior designs of the great British designer William Morris. The twin conical mugs are emblazoned with green, gold and navy patterns that evoke the ancient art of tea drinking.

The SoHo Hamper includes an intricately patterned gold and cream reed diffuser and candle, with a bright and delicate sent of prosecco, giving an uplifting atmosphere to any room of the home. Accompanied by similarly patterned high-shine bone china mugs, a gold-flowered Art Deco picture frame, and luxuriantly fluffy throw, this luxury wicker hamper houses the indulging pleasures of decadence. Bring the urbane chic of downtown loft apartments into homes with The Manhattan Hamper inspired gift hamper. Contemporary black and gold flourishes are paired with simple ornaments and greenery, echoing the assorted nature of contemporary New York decor.

With a homeware and retail heritage spanning over fifty years, Madison & Mayfair has a desire to provide customers with luxury homeware, without compromise to quality and without prohibiting by price, culminated in establishing Madison & Mayfair, the home of interior excellence. Our aesthetic draws from the leafy Georgian elegance of Mayfair townhouses, and its upscale cluster of galleries, tailors and independent boutiques. To bring this charm to union with the refined modernity of Madison Avenue in New York City, in the form of graceful designs, inspires our entire range. We carefully curate our collections of homeware and hampers to provide affordably luxurious ornaments, accessories, and furniture, aligned with our aim to make our homes better, beautifully.

I’m Not Kidding…

Seriously!
Holiday Portrait commissions are coming in almost daily! Soooo, if you are thinking about gifting a custom pet portrait this Christmas, best to contact me sooner then later, in order to secure that your special gift arrives in time…
Just added-a 6×6′ canvas for your portrait!

Portraits are painted with acrylics on canvas from your emailed or texted photos. Shipping available within the U.S.

Contact info
email loulou@claytonpetportraits.com
Text cell 484-680-4487
www.loulouclayton.com

Have a makeup loving individual with an artsy side?

The Artist’s Saga palette is perfect for them! Whether they’re a crafter, digital artist, create magic with a brush, or can wield a pencil like a wizard, this palette was inspired by all forms of artistry. These shade names are all too familiar for artists, and the pocket-friendly size of this 9-pan palette makes it easy to pop in your overnight bag. The shimmers are plush and can be applied with just your fingers. The mattes are smooth like butter and apply best with a brush.

The Artist’s Saga is available at www.beautiepaint.com.

Illustrative & Informative…

Maps & Charts from Driftwood Designs

A great gift for young and old alike, the Maps & Charts Collection from Driftwood Designs features a range of informative and beautifully illustrated images covering subjects such as natural history, science and geography.

Each original illustration has been lovingly created by artist and designer Lizzie Spikes who draws inspiration for her vivid illustrations from the coast and surrounding countryside of her home in Aberystwyth, West Wales.

Presenting a wealth of information in a unique, visual, narrative format each map and chart is painted with Lizzie’s distinctive attention-to-detail style and all are available in a range of formats including Framed Poster Prints (the ideal ready-made pressie!), Poster Prints and Greeting Cards.

Framed Poster Prints – £38.00
Famed poster prints are presented in a UK-made solid oak frame with a white textured mount.
The frame measures 315 x 415 x 20mm and the image is A4 in size and measures 210 x 297 mm.

A3 Poster Prints – £12.00
Printed in Wales on 350 GSM 100% recycled paper stock.
The poster is A3 in size and measures 297 x 420mm.

UK postage is free on all orders.

Lizzie’s designs are available from www.driftwooddesigns.co.uk

Fish in the Water Column
A chart of British fish and the depths at which they can be found.

Moon Cycle

An illustrated interpretation of the moon phases from waxing to waning beautifully in our coastal night skies.

Beaufort Scale
The Beaufort wind speed scale is designed to help record the force of the weather illustrated from the calm waters of wind speed 0 up to the stormy seas of hurricane-force 12.

Clouds
This illustrative chart shows the main cloud types and the heights at which they appear in the sky.

Sea Areas
A map showing the waters surrounding the British Isles divided into the ‘Sea Areas’ as listed on the evocative shipping forecast.

Constellations
An illustrated map of the larger constellations to be found in the night sky.

Edible Shoreline
An illustrated interpretation of a species chart showing some of the foods that can be foraged along the British coast along with their Welsh names.

Forage Calendar
Produced in collaboration with professional forager Jade Mellor and details a simple plant, nut or berry that can be found in our hedgerows and woods throughout the year.

Bristol Stool Chart
Developed in 1997 as a clinical assessment tool, the Bristol Stool Chart is a medical aid designed to classify stools into seven groups.

All items are designed in Aberystwyth, Wales by Lizzie Spikes
and made in the UK.
Website – www.driftwooddesigns.co.uk
Instagram – @drifteddesigns
Facebook – @lizziespikesdriftwood
Driftwood Designs also have two shops – in Aberystwyth and Cardiff
– see the website for further details.

Sandwich Bag Dad’s daily doodling and dad jokes now in an all-new book

Melbourne dad, Dave Blumenthal, famously known as Sandwich Bag Dad, has now converted his daily ritual of drawing custom cartoons and penning dad joke puns on his three daughters’ lunch bags into a delightful new book, The Cartoon Chronicles of Sandwich Bag Dad.

The Cartoon Chronicles, to be launched just in time for Father’s Day, is a celebration of Dave’s vast collection of sandwich bag cartoon drawings and pun-filled wordplays that have entertained his children and a growing, world-wide community of dad joke aficionados for nearly a decade!

Featuring everything from bees riding motorcycle (“Born to bee wild”) to coffee cups doing Pilates (“pi-lattes”), Dave’s art is beautifully detailed, whimsical and has become a joyous visual essay of his kids’ school lunch journeys.
According to Dave, what started out as a simple and endearing idea of carving little shapes into his eldest daughter’s school sandwiches, has morphed into a mass collection of drawings and witty puns on brown lunch bags, with a growing band of followers on social media and a recent exhibition at Australia’s National Cartoon Gallery.

“From the outset, it has been a true labour of love – or should I say ‘loaf’ – but now the cartoons and puns really have developed a life of their own,” Dave says.

“I usually draw the bags at night to relax and bring the day to a close. Each one takes around 10 to 30 minutes, depending on their complexity. I try to tailor each bag to my kids’ interests and what they might be learning. I draw inspiration on what is happening around the world and what tickles my fancy on the day. My aim is just to find a way to bring out the dad joke that’s hidden in practically any situation. With everything going on in the world right now, I think it’s more important than ever to smile.”

Dave said he has been completely blown away by the positive responses to his quirky art over the years, including at an exhibition this year at the National Cartoon Gallery in Coffs Harbour.

“While I originally started doing this just to bring a smile to my kids, I just love seeing that my drawings are able to make so many people around the world chuckle too. I hope that happiness goes far and wide with the launch of my new book.

In honour of his late father, Dave will be donating 15% percent of gross profits from the book to the Leukaemia Foundation.

“My dad was the king of dad-joking and taught me most of that I know about this fine artform. He passed away from leukemia before my kids were born. I couldn’t think of a better way to pay tribute to him than to perpetuate the art of the dad joke in printed form and to use it to raise awareness and funds for leukemia.”

The Cartoon Chronicles of Sandwich Bag Dad will be available for pre-sale orders from August 1 from www.sandwichbagdad.com/book

Price: $29.95 (excl postage).

KitchenAid Cordless Range

Designed with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery delivering optimal run time and performance – the collection packs all the power you expect without the cord, giving you the freedom to chop, blend and mix anywhere in the kitchen, your backyard by the BBQ or even by the pool – frozen Margarita’s anyone?
Cordless Hand Blender RRP $289.00
Cordless Food Chopper RRP $229.00
Cordless Hand Mixer RRP $259.00

Stockist: KitchenAid.com.au

Moroccanoil Texture Clay
A strong hold pomade that offers control and a matte finish while nourishing and caring for your hair.
RRP: $52.95
Stockist: Adore Beauty (Affiliate Partner)

Moroccanoil Treatment Oil
See press realease and Images: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mKUGkYAFD2jn8PbFOD_WrmIg-i9F8B05?usp=sharing

ESK Skincare Men’s Anti-Ageing Skincare Kit
A simple time saving skincare kit scientifically crafted for men offering a potent combination of evidence-based ingredients, ESK’s men’s skincare kit works to achieve smoother more supple skin while repairing and protecting from environmental oxidative damage.
RRP $288.00 (Full Size Set)
Stockist: eskcare.com.au

Creativity comes out on top with RAK-Plano

RAK-Plano countertop surfaces from RAK Ceramics combine elegance, durability and practicality, transforming the RAK-Joy or RAK-Joy Uno vanity unit into a versatile piece of bathroom furniture.

Available in three different TECHWOOD finishes and in the manufacturer’s innovative matt white RAKSOLID material, RAK-Plano is a one-piece vanity top, without joints that can be drilled and cut (if necessary) directly on site. This gives designers complete freedom in positioning the washbasin and mixer.

RAK-SOLID is an incredibly durable solid surface material, composed of a mixture of natural minerals and resins, exuding consistent quality and performance. Just as hardwearing and simple to care for, TECHWOOD is a wood effect material that gives the tactile impression of real timber, produced from polypropylene recyclable material.

RAK-Plano is available in a range of colours, combining easily with any décor and responding to trends in bathroom design. Choose from Matt White, Grey Elm, Scandinavian Oak and Mokka Walnut.

RAK Ceramics UK
01730 237850
www.rakceramics.com/uk/

The Track Builder makes its debut in the new Hot Wheels Unleashed™ video

Creativity has no limits!

Mattel and Milestone showed today a deep dive dedicated to the Track Builder, a brand new game mode for Hot Wheels Unleashed™ where players can express themselves thanks to an editor without limits.

The Track Builder is the same tool that Milestone’s designers used to the create the game’s tracks, this means that players have in their hands all the powers to unleash their creativity.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE: youtu.be/WQtz0DWOIr8

Players will learn how to get control of the iconic orange track modules, the backbone of all the adrenaline races. Twisting, bending, stretching and finally placing every available modules is now part of the pure racing fun experience!

For the occasion, Federico Cardini, Lead Game Designer for Hot Wheels Unleashed, presents a deep dive dedicated to how the Track Builder works: https://youtu.be/xzqC_ocIibY

After more than two years of development, the final result allows players to create crazy tracks in an extremely easy way, starting from choosing one of the environments available in the game, including the Track Room, a special stage designed specifically to showcase the freedom of the Track Builder, thanks to an empty big space without any kind of limits or obstacles.

Any element of the environments could potentially be part of the track, this means that players can mix track modules with stage’s objects in order to create dynamic and unpredictable races.

Players will also have the chance to bring their tracks to the next level, thanks to the special Track Builder Modules. More than 20 amazing modules are available, such as T-Rex Escape, Spider Ambush, Hungry Cobra, those will make the tracks even more unique, insane and challenging.

The Track Builder also features the chance to share creations with the world or enjoy the tracks made by other crazy players. Being part of the community means having the chance to become an extraordinary designer or simply a racer always looking for new adrenaline and unpredictable challenges..

Finally, the new videos unveiled seven new vehicles out of the 60+ available on day 1. They are: 24 Ours™, Off-Duty™, Supercharged™, RocketFire™, Street Creeper™, Surf ‘N Turf™, Tricera-Truck.

Hot Wheels Unleashed offers players the opportunity to drive the cars as if they were playing with the die-cast toys. The gameplay includes adrenaline-filled races, an extended choice of Hot Wheels vehicles with different attributes and rarity levels that players can customize with different skins, and jaw-dropping tracks set in everyday-life locations with special track modules and interactive items. The game also features a revolutionary Track Builder enabling players to customize tracks in any game environment and share them with the game’s community.

For more information and where to pre-order, visit hotwheelsunleashed.com. Drivers can also join the #HotWheelsUnleashed conversation online at Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Great Christmas gifts for gadget fans, safety-conscious families and any other loved ones people would like to give the gift of peace of mind!

The range, which includes a Wireless Video Doorbell (£79.99), Wireless Outdoor Camera (£89.99) and the new (available from October) Security Light Camera £179.99.

All the items look great, really sleek and contemporary as you can see from the attached AND they’re perfect for gadget fans because they all pair with a free Toucan Smart Home App which enables 24/7, live on-demand HD video.

The free Toucan Smart Home App has some brilliant additional features such as two-way audio, inbuilt siren alarms and even the option to call emergency services at the press of a button if motion sensors alert you to anything requiring immediate assistance.

Etsy’s 2021 Christmas Including gifts for her, for him, for the little ones, your home, pets, plus decorative items to celebrate this festive season, wonderful selection of items from independent makers from around the UK.

Speaking about this year’s lookbook, Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy’s Trend Expert, says:
“This Festive season, we’re choosing to celebrate with intention. We’re surprising loved ones with incredibly thoughtful gifts and decorating our homes with welcoming accents. We’re empowering creative small businesses through our purchases and infusing everything with the meaning of the season. Because we know it’s more important than ever to treasure connection – and Etsy is here with one-of-a-kind gifts and ideas to help keep traditions shining bright.”

NIVEA® is here to spread the love and give a new meaning to personalised gifts which say, ‘I chose this just for you’.

Whether you’re shopping for ‘her’ or shopping for ‘him’, NIVEA® has curated a selection of glowing and glorious gifts to ensure there’s something for each of your loved ones this Christmas.

Treat someone – or even yourself – to some self-care this winter with these thoughtful gift sets which both cleanse and comfort. The NIVEA® Ultimate Collection gift set is jam-packed full of moisturising, refreshing and indulgent products for head to toe pampering. The set impressively features a host of NIVEA® classics – the NIVEA® Irresistibly Smooth Body Lotion, NIVEA® Rose & Almond Shower Cream, NIVEA® Pearl & Beauty Anti-perspirant Roll-on, NIVEA® Bye Bye Dry Skin Nourishing Face Mask, NIVEA® Soft Rose Caring Lip Balm, NIVEA® Soft Moisturising Cream as well as a hot water bottle, an eye mask, hair bobbles and a shower puff – what a treat!

The NIVEA MEN® Kick Back Bumper Pack. Chock full of a host of NIVEA MEN® Sensitive skincare favourites as well as festive socks, slippers, and an eye mask for the ultimate night-in – blokes still need a bit of spa-like relaxation every once in a while! This quintessential bundle includes the NIVEA MEN® Sensitive Shower Gel, NIVEA MEN® Sensitive Face Wash, NIVEA MEN® Sensitive Shaving Foam, NIVEA MEN® Sensitive Protect Anti-perspirant Roll-on, NIVEA Men Sensitive Moisturiser, NIVEA MEN® Eye Mask and to keep him feeling comfy, the complementary socks and slippers will be the cherry on top of the Christmas cake.

Santa Claus Worldwide Documents History of Famous Gifter and Others Like Him from Around the Globe

Asheville, NC, August 2, 2021 — Santa Claus, as we know him, didn’t originate from Clement C. Moore’s popular poem, “The Night Before Christmas,” as is often thought, or from Washington Irving’s History of New York, as suggested by Berkeley historian Charles W. Jones. Our American Santa Claus was, in fact, created by a New York printer in 1821 in a booklet called The Children’s Friend, explains author Tom Jerman.

Readers will discover:

Ultimately, Santa Claus Worldwide proves, conclusively, the existence of Santa and his impact on our world.

“Santa indisputably exists as the symbol of Christmas, and Christmas represents our most noble virtues,” Jerman says. “Symbols are real, and they can be very powerful.”

For more information, please visit acollectionofsantas.com, or follow the author on Twitter at @tomajerman.

CHEEKY CHRISTMAS GIFTS & STOCKING FILLERS

‘Lucy Hughes Creations’ have always come up with the goods when it comes to the perfect cheeky gift for family and friends. It is impossible not to smile when faced with one of Lucy’s original illustrations.

This Christmas, Lucy has released a set of four brilliantly quirky tea-towel designs. Absolutely perfect for stocking fillers or secret Santa presents, they tick all the boxes – funny, cheeky, high-quality, inexpensive AND useful! Each design has been hand illustrated in ink and pencil and all are the perfect balance of endearing and funny.

Made from 100% cotton with reactive (long lasting) ink, complete with hanging loop and individually gift wrapped, these gifts are a no-brainer.

Get yours here or browse www.lucyhughescreations.com for gift ideas.

Love Christmas with the 2021 Advent Calendar
from Bonne Maman

Start the lovely build up to Christmas with an exceptional, highly desirable Advent Calendar – filled with 23 different mini jars of delicious jam and two special surprise gifts – from French conserve specialist, Bonne Maman.
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The perfect way to say Joyeux Noel to loved ones during the holiday season, the calendar contains 23 adorable mini jars of jams and marmalades – each one offering an exclusive fruit variety or unique flavour combination – concealed behind every door. This year the Advent Calendar also offers two special surprise gifts – the first to start the Advent adventure on day one and the other on Christmas Eve.

Providing a delightful surprise fruit conserve to add taste and colour to every breakfast or tea through December, the 30g mini jars include a range of exciting flavours not usually available in the UK, such as Cherry with Spices, Strawberry with Linden Blossom, Mango Peach and Lime, Plum and Pear with Star Anise, Cherry with Hibiscus Flower Jams and Orange with Cinnamon Marmalade plus many more.

The Bonne Maman Advent Calendar is available to order from September online at www.bonnemaman.co.uk (with despatch from 1st October) at £23.99 + p&p. The Calendar will also be available at £23.99 rrp from Ocado, Fenwick, Booths, Costco plus other selected specialist stores.

High resolution images, recipes and samples available – contact Pippa Evans on e:pippa@wixhill.co.uk or Holly Darke on e:holly@wixhill.co.uk or call WixHill on 01483 203992.
Notes for Editors: For further information, tips and recipes see www.bonnemaman.co.uk, like on Facebook @BonneMamanUK and follow on Instagram @bonnemaman_uk
– Stockists may vary
– Image copyright, Bonne Maman UK
About Bonne Maman: Bonne Maman is one of Britain’s best-loved conserves, famous for its signature gingham lids, use of simple, traditional methods and high quality, all natural ingredients. The full Bonne Maman UK range includes:
– Conserves – Rhubarb & Strawberry, Mirabelle Plum, Strawberry, Strawberry & Wild Strawberry, Wild Blueberry, Black Cherry, Fig, Apricot, Berries & Cherries, Raspberry, Peach, Damson Plum and Blackcurrant
– Intense Conserve – Strawberry, Apricot and Raspberry
– Curds – new Lemon
– Marmalades – Bitter Orange
– Caramels – Salted Caramel
– Compotes – Apricot, Cherry, Rhubarb and Peach
– Chilled Desserts – Strawberry Mousse, Chocolate Mousse, Rhubarb Mousse and Blackcurrant Mousse; Salted Caramel Crème, Coffee Crème, Dark Chocolate Crème with a Touch of Sea Salt and Milk Chocolate Crème; Crème Caramel, Crème Brûlee, Baba au Rhum and Riz au Lait plus new Tarte au Citron and Red Fruit Tarte
– Yoghurts – Layered Yoghurts: Raspberry, Rhubarb and Apricot plus Large pot Fruit Yoghurts; Morello Cherry, Rhubarb & Strawberry, Violet Fig plus new Raspberry & Blackberry.

Spin Master.

Spin Master has a range of various toys and games for both children and adults!

BATMAN 1:15 All Terrain Batmobile
£59.99

Take your Batman missions to the next level with the All-Terrain Batmobile in 1:15 scale.
This remote control vehicle is built with performance tires for unstoppable performance as you race through all-terrains. Water, snow, mud, rock, and grass is no match for the All-Terrain Batmobile.
The 2.4 GHz dual joystick remote control is USB rechargeable and features out-of-range sensors so you’ll know when your Batmobile needs to stay in range, recharge, and return to land.

Disney Princess Sweets and Treats
£14.99
This Party Game is the perfect gift for the Princess in the family.
Join Elsa, Ariel, Belle, Mulan, Tiana and all your favorite Disney Princesses in a Teatime Celebration. Pour dice from the Magical Teapot to see where to move on the gameboard and how many Cupcake Cards to turn over! Be the first to collect 5 matches on your plate and you win.
For 2-7 players ages 4 and up.

Go Glam – Shimmer Me Body Art
£24.99
Express your style and create your own glam glitter tattoos with Cool Maker Shimmer Me Body Art.
This all-in-one temporary tattoo set for girls has everything you need to customise your own body art, including: four metallic foil cartridges, two colours of glitter, a glitter brush, gems, a roller and 180 double-sided sticker designs. With so many trendy and cute designs, you can mix and match to style your body art, your way.

Hogwarts Castle
£69.99
Recreate your favorite Harry Potter scenes and play out your own spellbinding adventures with the Wizarding World Magical Minis Hogwarts Castle. This amazing 2-foot-tall playset is packed with magical features to discover, including an exclusive 3-inch Hermione Granger doll, 12 accessories, Moaning Myrtle’s Bathroom, enchanting lights, and sounds! With multiple places to play, there’s so much to explore in Hogwarts with Hermione and the collectible Magical Minis Harry Potter toys (each sold separately).

Kinetic Sand Sandwhirlz Playset
£19.99
Flow Kinetic Sand in a whole new way with the Sandwhirlz Playset. This set has everything you need for amazing sand transformations: 907g of Kinetic Sand (red, yellow and blue), six shape shifters, two extruder tubes, a scoop and more. Inspired by the drop and squish play pattern on social media, the Sandwhirlz Playset makes it easy to customise your sand effects with the shape shifters and tools. Create and reveal endless surprising sand explosions with the Kinetic Sand Sandwhirlz Playset.
Magic Blanket Babies
£34.99 Discover Magic Blanket Babies, mystery plush babies hidden in magic blankets.
Magic Blanket Babies feature an exciting surprise reveal and unbundle themselves. With one of two possible babies inside each pink blanket, you won’t know which soft baby doll you’re getting until you start to play with her.
Rock, bounce, flip and pat your bundle to encourage your baby to open. She responds to your touch and reacts differently to each movement with cute baby sounds and phrases.
As you continue to play with your baby bundle, you’ll hear a special song when she’s ready to unbundle. Once the music stops, the blanket pops open, revealing which stylish 9-inch baby is inside: Pink or Purple!

Ultimate City Tower
£159.99 Introducing the all-new PAW Patrol: The Movie Ultimate City Tower.
This 91cm-tall playset—the tallest PAW Patrol tower yet—brings the pups’ Adventure City headquarters from the big screen to life. It’s jam-packed with amazing features to discover, including a transforming light-up rescue ramp, command centre, vehicle lift, pup elevator, lights and sounds and so much more. With Chase’s cruiser, a clip-on backpack and all six PAW Patrol figures included, you can get straight to the fun right out of the box.

Buon Natale from Seggiano
Truly artisanal Italian festive food

July 2021: The Christmas collection from Seggiano celebrates truly artisanal festive food from producers in Italy who have been perfecting their craft for generations. Top quality ingredients are at the heart of the recipes, with products curated into a bespoke collection perfect for gifting, or simply for enjoying with family and friends at special times.

Whether it’s the evocative flavour of lemons from Sorrento used to make Amalfi Coast limoncello panettone, or the earthy undertones of candied chestnuts from Cuneo, the small team at Seggiano carefully sources every single one of their products from specialist, innovative producers, making for a truly magical and luxury festive range.

SEGGIANO PANETTONE COLLECTION

Chestnut Panettone
This artisan sourdough panettone is naturally leavened with a 40-year-old mother yeast which brings incredible depth of flavour. Master baker, Beniamino’s skill guarantees a deliciously moist cake, made with organic free range eggs, local acacia honey and rich marrons glacés (candied chestnuts).
Price: £15.45 for 500g cake

Chocolate Panettone
The latest addition to the Seggiano panettone collection. This decadent chocolate panettone from the Lombardy region of Italy is made with only the finest organic eggs and butter. The dough is fragrantly light, yet deliciously rich and chocolatey.
Price: £16.45 for 500g cake

Limoncello Panettone
The evocative flavour of Sorrento lemons that are used to produce the Amalfi Coast limoncello liqueur for this panettone sing through in every bite. Baked by Seggiano’s expert baker Beniamino in his Lake Garda bakery, this heavenly panettone is layered with creamy limoncello marmalade.
Price: £16.45 for 500g cake

Classic Panettone
Baked in small batches and hung using the traditional method for the festive season only, Seggiano’s classic panettone is crafted by a master baker in Brescia, who has been making the infamous dolci for over forty years. This artisan panettone is naturally leavened and the recipe includes organic eggs, local acacia honey and candied citrus peel.
Price: £13.95 for 500g cake

Bonci Panbriacone
Sourced from the world renowned Bonci pasticceria, this impressive panettone has been soused in sweet wine to create what translates as a ‘drunk cake’. Unwrapping it evokes a heady aroma which will transport you to the hills of Tuscany.
Price: £25.15 for 750g cake, £18.40 for 450g cake

Vin Santo Individual Panettone – Classic / Chocolate
Individual sized panettoni that have been soaked in sweet DOC Vin Santo del Chianti are a wickedly delicious treat. With or without chocolate chunks, they make for a winning dessert or late afternoon nibble. Do as the Italians do and serve with a thimble of Vin Santo on the side.
Price: £7.65 for 120g cake

FESTIVE PRODUCTS PERFECT FOR GIFTING

Baked Calabrian Fig Ball
A showstopper on a cheese board. Peel back layers of dried fig leaves to discover the sticky slow-baked figs inside. The liquorice caramel flavours pair amazingly with a salty pecorino ewe’s milk cheese. A fabulous stocking filler for a foodie!
Price: £5.40

Panforte – Traditional / Chocolate / Fig & Walnut
A lesser known festive speciality, panforte is popular medieval speciality of Siena. A slice or two of the fig and walnut variety balance perfectly with cheese, or toasted slithers of the traditional panforte made with almonds and candied peel are a great accompaniment with creamy desserts. For those who like to keep it simple a slice of the traditional panforte pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee.
Varieties: Traditional made from candied citrus peel, rich spices and almonds. Chocolate which has a rich covering of dark cocoa powder to cut through the spice of the panforte. Fig & Walnut which has a natural sweetness from the figs, combined with smooth creaminess from the walnuts.
Price: Traditional: £9.95 for 400g, £4.40 for 100g. Chocolate: £9.95 for 400g, £4.40 for 100g. Fig & Walnut: £6.10 for 200g slice

Chocolate Fig Salami
From a Calabrian pasticceria in Cosenza, this delicious ‘salami’ is a heady combination of figs, fruit, nuts and chocolate. Eye-catching on a cheese board, or better still sliced and served alongside a digestif at the end of a festive meal.
Price: £6.00 for 180g salami

Cioccolateria – Chocolate Dipped Figs / Clementines
Lovingly created on the toe of Italy in a tiny family cioccolateria, this dolcetti has now been made for over a century, using speciality fruits and nuts of the region. Indulgent and heavenly figs drenched in rum or cherry liquor feature alongside clementines, all of which are generously dipped in the highest quality dark chocolate.
Price: Chocolate Rum Figs (120g): £7.55. Chocolate Cherry Figs (140g): £7.55. Chocolate Clementines (120g): £7.55

Balsamics for Cooks Set
The beautifully viscous fig balsamic glaze sits alongside a refreshingly crisp organic white balsamic vinegar. These chef grade balsamics add depth of flavour to fine festive dishes.
Includes: 1 x Super Dense Fig Balsamic Glaze 250ml, 1 x Organic White Balsamic Vinegar 250ml
Price: £21.55

Olive Wood Cheese Grater
Great for aged pecorino and parmesan, these box graters made from olive wood are beautiful enough to bring direct to the table. The smaller size can also be used for nutmeg or lemon zest.
Sizes: Small – 7 x 12.5cm. Medium – 8.5 x 16.5cm. Large – 9.5 x 19.5cm
Price: Small: £10.55. Medium: £14.65. Large: £17.85

Olive Wood Chopping / Cheese Boards
Beautiful olive wood boards make a stunning cheese platter, or can even be used for every day chopping. The shapes of these boards are wonderfully random.
Sizes: Small – approx 0.5-1kg. Medium – approx 1kg. Large – approx 1-1.5kg. Extra Large – approx 1.5-2kg
Price: Priced based on the weight of the wood at £18.70 per kilo

Lunaio Extra Virgin Olive Oil
This incredible organic olive oil from the ancient groves of Monte Amiata in Tuscany has a distinctive flavour with a creamy texture, nutty taste and a balanced pepperiness. Once you’ve had a taste of this oil made from the new harvest you’ll struggle to look at olive oil in the same way again. Accompanied with a stainless steel and cork pourer. A set of the three sizes makes a truly wonderful gift.
Price: 250ml: £7.65. 500ml: £13.15. 1,000ml: £23.25

Seggiano’s Christmas collection is available direct from Seggiano.com for home delivery in the UK & NI. Many of the products are seasonally produced in line with local tradition so availability dates can vary, what this guarantees is incredible freshness and therefore the very best in flavour and quality.

Last orders for delivery before Christmas Day to be placed on 17th December.

A comic for kids to explore surveying and encourage them to get into it – much like Indiana Jones!

The comic is a 40-page digital download which has been released as a five chapter book

Released in spring this year, the comic book would make a fantastic gift or stocking filler for an adventurous and ambitious child aged 8-12 this festive season. Another great benefit of the comic book is that it serves as a break from screen time, enabling the little ones to put down the iPads and get back to a retro favourite while learning something valuable.

The comic strips are based on a group of four friends; Maddison, Setsuko, Kwame and Miles as well as the ‘The Last Surveyor.’ Together, the characters visit a career fair and enter a virtual reality world where they are told the story of what a world without surveyors would be like and the devastation that would occur. It goes on to show surveyors as the heroes of the future putting the world back together, which could be a very real possibility if the recruitment problem (the average profile of a surveyor today is a 55 year old white male) is not addressed now. It has everything a good kids story could need; time travel, robots, virtual reality, and of course, relatable and inspiring characters.

• Where to buy: https://www.getkidsintosurvey.com/product-category/comic/
• Price: GeoSquad Comic e-book – £6.99
GeoSquad Print Comic Book – £10.99

Keep The Kids Entertained for Hours with These Ten Top Great Toys, Gifts, and Gadgets.

The Flying Santa Drone £39.99 from ThumbsUp.com Arriving from Lapland Soon!
Make the most wonderful time of the year even more magical with the easy-to-operate Thumbs Up Flying Santa Drone. Christmas just got more magical with this year’s must-have addition to your family’s festive fun. A truly unique drone, fly Santa and his reindeer past your children’s windows on Christmas Eve to their wonder and delight. A fully functioning four-propeller drone for full maneuverability and hours of entertainment for parents and kids.

myFirst Camera Insta 2 costs £93.50 from myFirst.Tech
Enjoy instant printouts in just 10 seconds with the 12 Megapixel myFirst Camera Insta 2. Camera Insta 2 uses quality thermal printing paper and supports microSD cards up to 32GB. This lightweight camera comes with a lanyard and extra selfie lens which your child will be able to take photos from sun-up till sun-down. Weighing just 232g, your child will never get tired of using our camera Insta. It comes with a lanyard too with a battery capacity of 1500mAh and only 2hours charging from flat, your child will be taking photos from sun-up till sun-down. Perfect for a day out at the zoo or on holiday.

The Globber Ultimate Lights £149.99 from PlumPlay.co.uk
The Globber Ultimum Lights is the first-ever scooter to feature patented adjustable steering angle control so you can easily adjust the turning radius of the front wheel to fit their chosen riding style. Adding some brightness to the scooting ventures, this scooter has a rechargeable light-up mode. With 20 bright, multi-coloured LEDs; a vibration sensor mode that automatically activates the LEDS; and 12 different light patterns, all for added play value. When the day is done, the scooter quickly folds with the patented elliptic folding system and can be easily stored for next time. Ideal for kids aged 5+, all the way up to adults.

The Geomag Mechanics Loops and Turns Construction Set – 130 piece costs £34.99 from The Entertainer.
The Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means. The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. Gravity is the innovative evolution of the Geomag Mechanics line. Developed with expert players in mind, the new construction system is based on an innovative “gravity motor”: this uses the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the Geomag Mechanics structures. The motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics.

The Swipe Vlogging Light costs £19.99 from Thumbsup.com
The all-in-one solution for creating digital content. The Vlogging Light is here to give you a helping hand. Includes flexible smartphone holder, that can be clipped onto most surfaces and USB powered LED light with 3 light settings. Easily clamps onto most flat surfaces making it perfect for recording Vlogs and streaming.

The Plum 10ft Colours Springsafe Trampoline – Jet Black costs £299.99 from PlumPlay.co.uk
If you’re looking for a trampoline that has a hint of chic, then the Plum® Jet Black Trampoline and Enclosure will be the perfect addition to your garden. Inspire outdoor play, the enclosure design simplifies assembly with no tools required. This 10ft trampoline with Springsafe technology and features separates the jumper from the springs and frame; giving grownups peace of mind, allowing children to bounce away safely. Children can stay active at playtime; trampolining improves physical development and provides hours of entertainment.

The myFirst Sketch Book costs £88.50 from myFirst.Tech
Be eco-friendly with this amazing gadget. Let your child draw out incredibly without using a single piece of paper and without any mess. With built-in memory, you can now save your child’s every single masterpiece. This Sketch Book delivers a seamless experience to transfer your child’s work to your preferred devices by pairing it with myFirst Sketch book app. Feel proud and share your child’s work with the world! With built-in memory, it can now save your child’s every single masterpiece and watch live on your phone as they draw and write.

The Harry Potter PowerSquad Powerbank £14.99 from Thumbsup.com
A magician, Harry! The “Chosen One” supports you with concentrated power in all your adventures. Save the wizard world from evil together and saves tantrums when tablets, switches and phones run out of juice. There’s no need to put up with a boring power bank anymore – because the Power Squad is on its way. Inspired by well-known characters from pop culture, the heroes and villains from your favourite series and films will accompany you on the road and supply your smartphone with power.

The Ginger Fox Emoji Action Game costs £10.99 from Amazon
Be the first to get rid of all your cards! You’ll need lightning-fast reactions and some seriously cool moves to win at emoji ACTION -look lively or lose! Play must race on as soon as the loser has grabbed their cards -the essence of the game is emoji mayhem! Keep it fast, physical and emotional for maximum fun! The first player to get rid of all their cards wins! Suitable for 2 or more players.

The Plum Discovery Woodland Treehouse costs £479.99 from PlumPlay.co.uk
The Plum® Discovery Woodland Treehouse is for nature’s little ambassadors. As they climb and slide children will discover the environment and messy play. Think green and discover growing plants! Little ones can create their very own mini eco centre in the built-in potted garden. Watch them tend to the sprouting buds and water the flowers with the pail and pulling rope. The Plum® Woodland Treehouse combines play and learning all year round. Children can interact with nature as they discover wildlife hiding in the garden, engage in active play and they keep lookout as the season’s change. Discovery includes a Create and Paint, easy clean painting screen.

The Mechanics Gravity Magnetic Track harnesses the invisible forces of magnetism and gravity through original and surprising means.

The spheres inside the circuit are set in motion by an innovative magnetic cannon that uses the force of attraction of the accelerating magnet. Gravity is the innovative evolution of the Geomag Mechanics line. Developed with expert players in mind, the new construction system is based on an innovative “gravity motor”: this uses the weight of the Geomag spheres to kickstart the mechanisms and movements of the Geomag Mechanics structures. The motion is provided by the invisible forces of Gravity and Magnetism, without using electricity or batteries. The play experience is based on these fundamental principles of physics.

Mechanics Gravity is a STEM product that can truly stimulate curiosity and inspire to learn more about science.

Key Features:

• Mechanical and magnetic construction system
• A STEM product that can stimulate scientific learning
• Winners of numerous awards.
• Suitable for children aged 8 + to develop their imagination and curiosity through the science of magnetic construction
• The 130 plastic mechanical elements are at the heart of the Gravity system
• Made using recycled plastic

The Geomag Mechanics Loops And Turns Construction Set – 130pc costs £34.99 from The Entertainer

“Where is God? Is He there? It sure looks like He’s not anywhere!” – quote from ‘Where is God’.Bracha Goetz is a supreme children’s author when it comes to using a story to satisfy the natural curiosity in children

FUN AND EDUCATIONAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS FROM LEARNING RESOURCES®

From arithmetic and coding, to fine motor and STEM skills, encourage a lifelong love of learning this Christmas with these top toy picks from Learning Resources®.

Coding Critters™ MagiCoders
Cast a coding spell and build early STEM skills with the two latest additions to the Coding Critters™ brand. MagiCoders Blazer the Dragon and Skye the Unicorn introduce basic coding concepts through screen-free, hands-on play. Easy-to-use, children simply press the themed wand’s directional arrow buttons, push ‘Go’, and their MagiCoder will follow the programmed sequence helping to teach skills such as sequential logics, loops, algorithms, and debugging. Each comes with its own colourful coding enchanted spell book, coding wands, and playset. Suitable for ages 4+
Stockists: learningresources.co.uk, amazon.co.uk

Spike the Fine Motor Hedgehog® Fidget Friend
This fine motor skills toy for toddlers features six fun and tactile fidget activities – spin the wheel, turn the crank, press the button, twist the knob, push the plunger, and move the switch. As they play, children won’t just build vital tactile skills, they’ll also boost coordination, and hand strength. Perfect for on-the-go play – take him in the car or even out to lunch! Durable and easy to clean, just wipe Spike down with a damp cloth after playtime is done. Suitable for ages 18 months +
Stockists: learningresources.co.uk, amazon.co.uk

Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies® Fire Truck
Wannabe firefighters can race in to pretend play with the Design & Drill® Bolt Buddies® Fire Truck. Offering so many ways to build, drill and play, this fun construction toy is designed to help children build STEM and fine motor skills. It includes a real working kids’ power drill to build their own fire truck complete with hinged ladder; fire and water toppers; plus two Bolt Buddies and a Dalmatian dog which double up as tools for little hands to twist and turn the bolts. Best of all, the packaging unfolds to convert into a themed play backdrop! Suitable for ages 3+
Stockists: learningresources.co.uk, amazon.co.uk

Artie Max™
Based on the award-winning Artie 3000™ coding robot, new Artie Max™ brings even more colour, personality, and creative coding possibilities to the drawing table. Helping children learn five coding languages through fun, creative activities, Artie Max™ comes ready to code with Blockly, Snap!, JavaScript, Python, C++ and its own simple UI with pre-programmed codes. He also features three interchangeable onboard markers, smart sensors, line detection, remote control functionality, and a USB rechargeable battery! What’s more, getting started is easy so kids can get coding within minutes by connecting their WI-FI-enabled device securely and directly to Artie Max™ – there’s no internet needed. Suitable for ages 8+
Stockists: amazon.co.uk

MathLink® Cubes Numberblocks 1-10 Activity Set
Children can bring Numberblocks learning to life and play along with their favourite TV episodes, building key numeracy skills using these special edition, colourful MathLink® Cubes Numberblocks 1-10. Offering 30 fun hands-on activities, the set includes 11 character cards, 15 write-and-wipe activity cards, 59 faceplates, 54 stickers plus more! Suitable for ages 3+
Stockists: learningresources.co.uk, amazon.co.uk

THE FUTURE OF GRASSROOTS SPORTS IS NOW LIVE
VEO’S INTRODUCES LIVE-STREAMING AND INSTANT ACCESS TO ITS NEW AI-CAMERA

COPENHAGEN-BASED Veo’s innovative sports camera has redefined what a camera can do.
The combination of breakthrough AI technology and ease-of-use has made Veo a natural part of
sports fields worldwide, and Veo has helped thousands of coaches improve their teams and
provided athletes with the tools to enhance their development. Now, they’re taking it up a level.
Today, Veo is introducing live-streaming and instant access to the world of grassroots sports.
This is going to change the world of sport at all levels and put a new form of power in the hands
of coaches, players and parents. Up until now, no one could have dreamed that you could
live-stream a grassroots match with a portable and affordable camera solution.
The new camera is the world’s first portable AI camera that can automatically stream your
match. It comes with a brand new live-streaming app, Veo Live, where parents and fans can
support their local teams wherever they are. According to Andrew Wagstaff, President, Liverpool
FC International Academy, “Veo has created the opportunity for a family member to support their
player, anywhere in the country…that is a game changer.”
Live-streaming will also enable scouts and college recruiters with more opportunities to discover
talent, freeing up more time and budget. But that’s not all. With the new Veo Cam 2, coaches,
players and parents will have instant access to their video recordings after their matches.
Sports broadcasting has taught us that there’s nothing like watching sport live. Even for the
highest level of games, no one wants to sit through an entire match recording the next day. Veo
wants to help every team and player have the same opportunities as the elite. Because why
shouldn’t everyone have the same opportunities?
Tune in to Veo’s “We’re Live” event to hear about these innovations in more detail. It will be
live-streamed today at 8 pm CET and available to watch afterwards: go.veo.co/veolive
About Veo technologies: Veo is making advanced sports technology accessible to all levels of
the game through an easy-to-use AI-powered camera and analysis platform. The portable
camera allows coaches, players and parents to record matches and training sessions
automatically, while the analysis platform equips them with tools to cut highlights, tag players
and create visual learning experiences to enhance player development.

New picture book from the O’Hara Sisters, Frindleswylde.

With illustrations that sparkle like winter frost, and a story reminiscent of traditional folk tales, it’s the perfect present for the festive season and will be perfectly placed in stylish gift round ups.

Praise already pouring in:
“Fresh and bright as new fallen snow.” – Kiran Millwood Hargrave
“Frindleswydle is a frost laced feast of a fairy tale, with all the ingredients of a classic. Lauren O’Hara’s illustrations are exquisite, and dance alongside her sister’s words.” – Sophie Dahl
“A book of icy loveliness: full of grace and adventure.” – Katherine Rundell
“A hauntingly lovely snowy fable… with a heart and soul of its own.” – Anna James
“Frindleswylde will add to the sum of enchantment in this world.” – Angela Barrett

THE HOME OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
AT OLYMPIA LONDON
Spirit of Christmas Fair returns from 1 – 7 November 2021

Following a year of shopping online, Spirit of Christmas Fair is excited to be welcoming shoppers back through the doors of Olympia London celebrating 20 years. Ensuring customers have Christmas all wrapped up before December, the UK’s leading and largest shopping event will be returning to Olympia London from 1 – 7 November.
The home of Christmas shopping, Spirit of Christmas Fair has over 650 independent boutiques with an extraordinary breadth of product ranges under one roof.
Offering items not found on the high street, Spirit of Christmas Fair shines a spotlight on British, sustainable and ethically produced products. Enabling customers to find something for even the trickiest of individuals to buy for, discerning shoppers will find endless never-before-seen items. From gifts and treats to entertaining ideas, the expertly curated fashion, decorations, jewellery, homeware, baby and children, toys and games, food and drinks brands have all been hand-picked for their quality and originality.
After indulging in retail therapy, shoppers can relax and sip some of the world’s most delicious Champagnes over at the Louis Roederer Champagne Bars or enjoy a delectable lunch at Mosimann’s.
Highlights of Spirit Christmas Fair will include:
• Over 650 independent design-makers and boutiques to shop from
• An array of British, eco-friendly and sustainable brands
• A delectable mix of leading artisans, independent producers and Great Taste award-winners
• Complimentary entry into the Winter Arts & Antiques Fair from 1 – 7 November
• Two new catering options offering more food and refreshment choices
Mary Claire Boyd, Fair Director says: “Spirit of Christmas Fair signifies the start of the festive season, so we are thrilled to be opening our doors at Olympia London once more. This year promises to be one of the most spectacular and memorable Christmas events yet. After more than a year of uncertainty and a Christmas which saw many required to spend it away from loved ones, we’re excited to be bringing back the magic of Christmas and spreading some much-needed festive cheer.
The health and safety of our beloved exhibitors and loyal visitors is of the upmost importance to us and so we will be following guidelines, in accordance with Government requirements to ensure the Fair is a welcoming and enjoyable experience for all. ”
To book tickets for Spirit of Christmas Fair, the SeeTickets Box Office will open for Spirit of Christmas Fair 2021 later in August. For more ticket information and to find out more about the Fair please visit www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk.

Ultimate British Christmas cheese board – this includes info about the letterbox cheese perfect to send to cheese lovers through the post.

We also have a ‘mature your own blue cheese’ – a great gift for a foodie dad or grandparent.
The world’s first cheese brûlée is back … an alternative Christmas dessert

GIFTS FOR STORY LOVERS
Hamnet
Maggie O’Farrell
Publication Date: 1st April (Tinder Press)

On a summer’s day in 1596, a young girl in Stratford-upon-Avon takes to her bed with a fever. Her twin brother, Hamnet, searches everywhere for help. Why is nobody at home? Their mother, Agnes, is over a mile away, in the garden where she grows medicinal herbs. Their father is working in London. Neither parent knows that one of the children will not survive the week.
Hamnet is a novel inspired by the son of a famous playwright. It is a story of the bond between twins, and of a marriage pushed to the brink by grief. It is also the story of a flea that boards a ship in Alexandria; a kestrel and its mistress; and a glovemaker’s son who flouts convention in pursuit of the woman he loves. Above all, it is a tender and unforgettable reimagining of a boy whose life has been all but forgotten, but whose name was given to one of the most celebrated plays ever written.

Diamonds at the Lost and Found
Sarah Aspinall
Publication date: 10th June (4th Estate)

Sarah Aspinall grew up in the glittering wake of her irrepressible mother Audrey. Born into poverty in 1930s Liverpool, Audrey had always known that she was destined for better things and was determined to shape that destiny for herself.
From the fading seaside glamour of Southport, to New York and Hollywood, to post-war London and the stately homes of the English aristocracy, Audrey stylishly kicked down every door she encountered, on a ceaseless quest for excitement – and for love.
Once Sarah was born, she became Audrey’s companion on her adventures, travelling the world, scraping together an education for herself from the books found in hotels or given to her by strangers, and living on Audrey’s charm as they veered from luxury to poverty – an accessory to her mother’s desperate search for ‘the one’.
As Sarah grew older, she realised that theirs was a life hung about with mysteries. Why, for instance, had they spent ages living in a godforsaken motel in the Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina? Who was the charming Sabet Sabescue, and what was his hold over Audrey during several months in Cairo? And what on earth happened to the heirlooms that an ancient heiress, Miss Gillette, gave Sarah when they visited her in Palm Springs?
And why, when they returned to Southport was Audrey ostracised by the society she so longed to be part of?
Diamonds at the Lost and Found tells the story of how Sarah eventually got free from her mother’s gravitational pull to carve out a destiny of her own. It is a beguiling testament to dreams, defying convention and exasperated love.

Magformers – the magnetic building toy for fun, educational play
#Magformers #magformersafrica #STEMtoys #stemtoysforkids

Magformers is a brand-new toy on the South African market created especially for small hands, inquisitive minds and expansive imaginations. Designed for girls and boys two years and older, Magformers are educational construction toys that allow children to build their own magnetic 3D structures.
Each set contains colourful, magnetic plastic shapes that can be built into a variety of forms and objects. They are certified for children from two years up and provide hours of imaginative, creative and tactile play. Magformers are made from BPA Free HQABS plastic and use neodymium magnets, which are extremely strong as well as resistant to demagnetisation.
“The basic principle is that your creativity and, of course, the amount of fun you have while playing is unlimited,” says Philip Galliford, Senior Marketing Manager – Solarpop. “Magformers spark the imagination and build skills in 3D construction. Playing with these shapes encourages planning and logical thinking, it also inspires children to think mathematically. The colours and shapes also foster discovery and creativity.”
This is confirmed by parenting expert and toy reviewer Nikki Bush who says that Magformers foster 2D to 3D building and promote fine motor control, eye-hand co-ordination, spatial planning and imaginative play. (https://nikkibush.com/toy-reviews/)
Magformers are fun to play with, colourful, creative and “click” together beautifully. Here are other reasons children love them:
• They’re easy for little hands to use.
• Each set includes a colourful booklet with construction ideas.
• The shapes snap together easily and the magnets always attract. Touch one shape to another for them to connect. The magnets actually rotate so the shapes always connect with a satisfying “click”. This is a huge benefit because children never have the frustration of the magnets repelling each other.
• Magformers are an open-ended toy and thus provide the opportunity for children to really use their imagination.
• There’s the opportunity to learn about shapes – triangles, squares, prisms, pentagons, cubes – and colours.
• Endless building possibilities. The variety of sets and themed sets available are all compatible and can be joined together, for example the town sets can interconnect to create an entire town and include Magbuddies, Bank, City Bus, Hospital, Ice cream Shop and Town Mart. Themed Sets include Magformers Carnival, Amazing Rescue, Amazing Construction and Amazing Police. There are also My First and Basic Sets.
• Parents will love them because they’re certified for children younger than three years and perfectly safe.
• When playtime is over, the magnetic power helps you to simply stack and store.

“Magformers provide hours of fun, immersive play and at just the right challenge level, they have big edutainment value. Children can play alone or with others, building new worlds and unique objects while exploring their creative side and developing their STEM skills. Parents can also join in the fun and explore their 3D building capabilities,” says Philip. “They may surprise themselves and their children!”
Magformers are ideal as birthday gifts, as stocking fillers and for under the Christmas Tree. They’re also perfect for playschools, homeschools and classrooms.
Magformers playsets and basic sets are available from Takealot.com, Toy Kingdom, Hamleys, C.N.A. and Everyshop. For more information go to: www.solarpop.co.za/Magformers/

Miserable Holiday Stories Offers Tongue-in-Cheek Escape from Seasonal Stress

Newark, NJ, August 6, 2021 — What do Jewish Elvis impersonators, a kidnapped Santa Claus, confused parents, horrific holiday traffic, unbreakable toys and the ever-heroic Bicycle Boys have in common? They all provide fuel for the Yuletide fire in humorist Alex Bernstein’s “miserable” collection of short stories centered on Christmas, Hanukkah and the overall malaise that descends on those in winter climates.

Miserable Holiday Stories (20 Festive Failures That Are Worse Than Yours) is the yin to the Hallmark Channel’s yang, with hefty doses of seasonal satire presented in the form of 20 short stories you can read while the babka is baking or anytime you need a respite from manufactured holiday merriment.

Tales include:
• “Blue Christmas”
• “Coloring Books”
• “The Unbreakable Toy”
• “The Smoking Lounge”
• “Brownie Mix” (A Glimmer Train Very Short Fiction Award finalist)
• “The #$@!# Bicycle Boys Save Christmas, Again!” (Also released as a single on Amazon)
• And many more!

Sure, Christmas and Hanukkah are supposed to be full of laughter, generosity and quality time with friends and family. But everyone knows the truth: the holidays are stressful at best and downright depressing at worst. Miserable Holiday Stories offers tongue-in-cheek escapism in the form of quirky, thought-provoking tales, that just might prompt you to appreciate something about your own holiday experiences.

About the Author
Alex Bernstein is the award-winning author of the Miserable series of books (Miserable Adventure Stories, Miserable Holiday Stories, Miserable Love Stories) and Plrknib. His work has appeared at McSweeney’s, NewPopLit, The Big Jewel, The American Bystander, Yankee Pot Roast, Swink, Litro, Back Hair Advocate, Corvus, BluePrintReview, Hobo Pancakes, Gi60, The Rumpus, The Legendary, MonkeyBicycle and PopImage, among numerous others.

He is a staff writer on the new Discovery Kids cartoon The Dog & Pony Show. An occasional stand-up comic, Bernstein performed extensively in his youth and frequently over the past several years. His book Plrknib is a memoir about being the youngest comedian in Cincinnati in 1980.

For more information, please visit http://www.alexbernstein.net, or follow the author on Facebook (AlexBernstein_author), Twitter alexbernstein_author) or Instagram (alexbernstein_author).

Miserable Holiday Stories (20 Festive Failures That Are Worse Than Yours)
Publisher: Racehorse (a division of Skyhorse Publishing)
ISBN-10: ‎1631585819
ISBN-13: ‎978-1631585814
Available from Amazon.com, BN.com and numerous other online retailers

Modest Mermaid

Modest Mermaid www.modestmermaid.co is an Australian designed modest swimwear brand
offering fashion forward modest swimwear. Our swimwear meets the needs of many also for its
sun protection factor. All our swimwear is SPF50+ meaning you are protected from 98% of the
sun’s harmful rays.

Modest Mermaid offers a range of swim dresses in 3 different lengths catering to all women’s
needs, as well as swim leggings for additional cover and skirts and tops. We ship for free
worldwide for purchases over 21 pounds.
We empower women to cover up without compromising on style. Our customers feel confident
and fabulous in our swimwear.

About the owner
“I’m Emily, I am the Founder and Creator of Modest Mermaid offering women. Australian
designed modest swimwear that flatters the body without clinging.
I’m a mum of two kids living in Melbourne. I used to be a buyer for global fashion brands, but
when I had my first baby I found myself searching for more modest swimwear options. I
designed our swim dresses for freedom and sun protection. Many of my beautiful customers
choose Modest Mermaid Swimwear for religious reasons. Whatever your reason, know that I
designed them to be flattering but not clingy, and join our amazing community of women feeling
amazing today.”

www.modestmermaid.co/collections/dresses/products/violet-swim-dress-spf50

Where to find us:
Our website is www.modestmermaid.co
Our instagram is @modestmerma.id, facebook @themodestmermaid and pinterest
@modestmermaidswimwear

Special Feature! Christmas In August Prepping for The holidays! Gift Ideas !

Santa Claus Worldwide Documents History of Famous Gifter and Others Like Him from Around the Globe

It’s never too early to prep for the festive season! I thought I would share a round-up of the latest smartwatches from Amazfit, as they might be of interest for any Christmas gift guides you are working on.

unearthed® brings missed holidays to Christmas celebrations
Travel favourites to recreate at home

Comment from The Complaining Cow

SIMS Garden Machinery, a multi-franchise dealer of a huge range of gardening and DIY tools. They have products for Dads and DIY enthusiasts that would make for great gifts for the Christmas period. Here are some ideas!

BELLA LUCK CHARMS – Italian Lucky Charm Jewellery

Roarsome Christmas tree decorations from the Natural History Museum Shop

Bracha Goetz
brachagoetzbooks@gmail.com

I’m Not Kidding…

Have a makeup loving individual with an artsy side?

Illustrative & Informative…

Maps & Charts from Driftwood Designs

Sandwich Bag Dad’s daily doodling and dad jokes now in an all-new book

Creativity comes out on top with RAK-Plano

Santa Claus Worldwide Documents History of Famous Gifter and Others Like Him from Around the Globe

FUN AND EDUCATIONAL CHRISTMAS GIFTS FOR KIDS FROM LEARNING RESOURCES®

THE HOME OF CHRISTMAS SHOPPING CELEBRATES 20 YEARS
AT OLYMPIA LONDON
Spirit of Christmas Fair returns from 1 – 7 November 2021

Ultimate British Christmas cheese board – this includes info about the letterbox cheese perfect to send to cheese lovers through the post.

Magformers – the magnetic building toy for fun, educational play
#Magformers #magformersafrica #STEMtoys #stemtoysforkids

Miserable Holiday Stories Offers Tongue-in-Cheek Escape from Seasonal Stress

Modest Mermaid

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HEINEKEN CUP RUGBY NEWSWIRE ISSUE 9: Ulster News & More + 22 Pages Of All The Latest Info, Stats, Reviews, Pools……

Santa Claus Worldwide Documents History of Famous Gifter and Others Like Him from Around the Globe

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Comment from The Complaining Cow

SIMS Garden Machinery, a multi-franchise dealer of a huge range of gardening and DIY tools. They have products for Dads and DIY enthusiasts that would make for great gifts for the Christmas period. Here are some ideas!

BELLA LUCK CHARMS – Italian Lucky Charm Jewellery

Roarsome Christmas tree decorations from the Natural History Museum Shop

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